Blackpool Group of Lodges
Blackpool Spectacular.
The Masonic Hall, Adelaide Street, Blackpool, has seen many spectacular evenings of Masonic splendour, but none could compare with the evening of Wednesday, 24th, November, 2010. The “TopLodgeRoom” was packed to capacity, as was the Lodge Room down stairs. A total of over 160 Masons from in and around the Province of West Lancashire all under one roof. The occasion in each of these cases was that a new Brother was to be Initiated into Freemasonry.
The “Top Lodge” was occupied by North Shore Lodge No. 7916. The occasion, to Initiate, Michael Tax, the son of the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro. Leon Tax. The Lodge was also honoured by the attendance of the R.W.Bro. Peter Hosker. Provincial Grand Master of the Province of West Lancashire, who was accompanied by, W.Bro. Terry Hudson, Assistant Provincial Grand Master. And his Senior and Junior Wardens, W.Bro’s Michael Collins and David Kavanagh Plus eleven other Grand Officers including the Chairman of the Blackpool Group of Lodges, W.Bro. Ian J. Robertson and the Provincial Director of Ceremonies, W.Bro. Mark Dimelow, with his Deputy, W.Bro Barrie Crossley. Also adding to the importance of this occasion, ALL the Acting Provincial Officers from along the Fylde Coast were in attendance.
The ceremony of Initiation was carried out by Leon with great pride and dignity. Leon held everyone spellbound as he recited the little known Address to a Lewis. A piece of ritual that the Provincial Grand Master admitted he had never before heard. As an added bonus the Working Tools were presented in an excellent manner by Bro. Robert Sims who is the son of the Worshipful Master of North Shore Lodge No. 7916.
|
|
|
Leon a proud father with son Michael. |
|
|
|
Terry Hudson, Michael Tax, Leon Tax, Peter Hosker.P.G.M. Bob Sims. W.M.North Shore Lodge. |
|
|
|
Acting Officers from the Fylde. |
|
|
|
Lee Smith of St John’s Lodge and Mike Tax congratulate each other after their ceremonies. |
At the festive board, Michael explained that he believed that he was a 5th, generation Mason in the North Shore Lodge, as some of his early relatives were founder members of the Lodge. The raffle made a magnificent sum of £450-00p, which was then donated to the refurbishment of the “Lower Lodge Room”.
Not distracting from this event, “Downstairs” St John’s Lodge No. 2825 had Initiated Bro. Lee Smith into Freemasonry. Here was another Masonic family connection, Bro Lee’s father was also a member of St Johns Lodge but sadly had passed away before he saw his son join Freemasonry. Brother Lee and Brother Michael had met and spoken to each other both before and after their respective ceremonies, a new friendship sealed. During the Festive Board celebrations at St John’s Lodge the Provincial Grand Master accompanied by the Provincial Director of Ceremonies made a personal visit to take wine with Bro. Lee. A sentiment that was appreciated by all present.
